Proverbs 24:23-34
World English Bible
23 These also are sayings of the wise.
To show partiality in judgment is not good.
24 He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”
peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—
25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
and a rich blessing will come on them.
26 An honest answer
is like a kiss on the lips.
27 Prepare your work outside,
and get your fields ready.
Afterwards, build your house.
28 Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause.
Don’t deceive with your lips.
29 Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;
I will repay the man according to his work.”
30 I went by the field of the sluggard,
by the vineyard of the man void of understanding:
31 Behold, it was all grown over with thorns.
Its surface was covered with nettles,
and its stone wall was broken down.
32 Then I saw, and considered well.
I saw, and received instruction:
33 a little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to sleep,
34 so your poverty will come as a robber
and your want as an armed man.
Proverbs 24:23-34
Lexham English Bible
23 These sayings are also for the wise:
Partiality[a] in judgment is not good.
24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are righteous,” the people will curse him;
the nations will abhor him.
25 But they who rebuke will have delight,
and upon them blessings of goodness will come.
26 He will kiss the lips,
he who gives an honest answer.
27 Prepare your work in the street and get it ready for yourself in the field;
afterward, then[b] you shall build your house.
28 Do not be a witness without cause against your neighbor
nor deceive with your lips.
29 Do not say, “Just as he has done to me, so shall I do to him;
I will pay back the man according to his deed.”
30 I passed by the field of a lazy person,
and over the vineyard of a person lacking sense;[c]
31 and behold, it was overgrown—all of it was covered with thorns, its surface with nettles,
and its stone wall[d] was broken down.
32 Then I myself saw and my heart[e] considered;
I looked, and I took hold of instruction:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands for rest,
34 and your poverty will come running,
and your lack like an armed warrior.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 24:23 Literally “acknowledge faces”
- Proverbs 24:27 Hebrew “and”
- Proverbs 24:30 Literally “heart”
- Proverbs 24:31 Literally “a wall of his/its stones”
- Proverbs 24:32 Or “mind”
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